Review of Graphene-Based Textile Strain Sensors, with Emphasis on Structure Activity Relationship

Abstract

Graphene-based textile strain sensors were reviewed in terms of their preparation methods, performance, and applications with particular attention on its forming method, the key properties (sensitivity, stability, sensing range and response time), and comparisons. Staple fiber strain sensors, staple and filament strain sensors, nonwoven fabric strain sensors, woven fabric strain sensors and knitted fabric strain sensors were summarized, respectively. (i) In general, graphene-based textile strain sensors can be obtained in two ways. One method is to prepare conductive textiles through spinning and weaving techniques, and the graphene worked as conductive filler. The other method is to deposit graphene-based materials on the surface of textiles, the graphene served as conductive coatings and colorants. (ii) The gauge factor (GF) value of sensor refers to its mechanical and electromechanical properties, which are the key evaluation indicators. We found the absolute value of GF of graphene-based textile strain sensor could be roughly divided into two trends according to its structural changes. Firstly, in the recoverable deformation stage, GF usually decreased with the increase of strain. Secondly, in the unrecoverable deformation stage, GF usually increased with the increase of strain. (iii) The main challenge of graphene-based textile strain sensors was that their application capacity received limited studies. Most of current studies only discussed washability, seldomly involving the impact of other environmental factors, including friction, PH, etc. Based on these developments, this work was done to provide some merit to references and guidelines for the progress of future research on flexible and wearable electronics.

Carbon Nanomaterials: Synthesis, Functionalization and Sensing Applications

“…The sensor showed perfect linearity: a compression strain of 10%, resulted in an electronic resistance change of 9.96%. Interestingly, graphene strain sensors may be fabricated using textiles [611]. The sensing properties are obtained by using graphene as a filler in the textile fibers to obtain conduction properties or the using graphene served as conductive coatings.…”

“…The sensing properties are obtained by using graphene as a filler in the textile fibers to obtain conduction properties or the using graphene served as conductive coatings. The response of the sensors shows a linear behavior only within a limited strain range due to the slip inside the fiber or fabric and the change of textile strain sensor structure [611]. Although the properties of the graphene-based textile sensors have to be improved, they have important potentialities in many sectors as flexible and wearable sensors for electronic skin, human-machine interfaces, human activities monitoring, intelligent robots, and human health detection.…”

Textile-Based Mechanical Sensors: A Review

“…The innovation of materials is also a major key point to improve the sensing performance. For example, new materials such as graphene [87,88] and MXene [89,90] have good electrical conductivity and mechanical properties and are widely used in sensors.…”

Integration of Different Graphene Nanostructures with PDMS to Form Wearable Sensors

“…Figure 1 [ 104 , 105 ] represents certain kinds of graphene nanomaterials that are used along with PDMS for electrochemical and strain-sensing applications. Even though a lot of topical reviews have been written on the use of graphene [ 106 , 107 ] and PDMS-based [ 108 , 109 ] sensors, the illustration of the conjugated use of these two materials in terms of fabrication and implementation has not been done yet. A significant elucidation of the electromechanical effect of the graphene/PDMS-based sensors for wearable sensing applications has not been done yet.…”